Roger Spencer, chief executive at The Christie, comments:
“The Christie has been at the forefront of cancer research for over 120 years. Standard treatments that were first trialled here have improved the outcomes for millions of cancer patients across the world. This new centre allows us to build on this legacy, so it’s exciting to see the vision become a reality.
“We want to give every patient who walks through our doors the best possible treatment and care. Having so many different specialists collaborating together under one roof will help us achieve our ambition to make the facility one of the top five cancer research centres in the world.”
IHP and VINCI Building’s Managing Director, John Roberts said:
“Ever since IHP were appointed to deliver the Paterson Building for The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, the whole team have been extremely proud to have played their part in delivering this new state of the art cancer research facility.
“Sadly, our friends, families and colleagues are all affected by cancer at some point and the opportunity to have contributed towards creating the environment that will be instrumental in helping deliver pioneering research and medicine as the largest concentration in Europe is something IHP have been honoured with.
“Bringing together the science community and acute hospital in this manner opens a collaborative environment that will help The Christie NHS Foundation Trust stay at the forefront of treatment and care for their patients, for many years to come”
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, comments:
“As the world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research, Cancer Research UK is at the forefront of the global fight against the disease, bringing together millions of people who share our determination to beat it.
“Co-locating the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute with The Christie fulfils our strategy of delivering scientific breakthroughs which translate into treatments for patients. I’m delighted to see teams moving in and look forward to seeing our researchers find faster routes to new prevention measures, tests and treatments.”
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, president and vice-chancellor of The University of Manchester, comments:
“The new research building will be a fantastic opportunity to accelerate cancer research in Manchester, not just because it will provide state-of-the-art facilities, but because it will bring together a fantastic workforce comprised of scientists, clinicians and support staff, including trainees, early career researchers and world-renowned investigators. It will enable staff from The University’s Division of Cancer Sciences to work side-by-side with colleagues from the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and The Christie, generating new ideas, making new discoveries and devising next-generation therapies.
“Together with the Proton Beam Therapy Centre and the Oglesby Cancer Research Building, the new facility will be the latest piece of the cancer campus jigsaw, generating a vibrant, high-quality environment for our highly motivated research teams, all seeking to improve the lives of cancer patients, not just in Manchester but world-wide.”